Oral care implement

ABSTRACT

An oral care implement having an arrangement of tooth cleaning elements thereon. The oral care implement may include a head extending from a proximal end to a distal end and comprising first and second peripheral sides. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from the head and are arranged in groups including a first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements positioned adjacent the first peripheral side of the head and having first and second types of tooth cleaning elements, a distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements positioned adjacent the distal end of the head and having a third type of tooth cleaning element, and a proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements positioned adjacent the proximal end of the head and having the third type of tooth cleaning element. The first, second, and third types of tooth cleaning elements are different in at least one more structural characteristics.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/362,110, filed Nov. 28, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,449,022, whichclaims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/261,716 filed Dec. 1, 2015, the entireties of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

A toothbrush is used to clean the teeth by removing plaque and debrisfrom the tooth surfaces. In typical oral care implements, bristles arebundled together in a bristle tuft and mounted within tuft holes. Whilesubstantial efforts have been made to modify the cleaning elements oftoothbrushes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the oralcleaning process, the industry continues to pursue arrangements ofcleaning elements that will improve upon the existing technology.Therefore, a need exists for an oral care implement having an improvedarrangement of tooth cleaning elements.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention may be directed, in one aspect, to an oral careimplement having an arrangement of tooth cleaning elements thereon. Theoral care implement may include a head extending from a proximal end toa distal end and comprising a first peripheral side and a secondperipheral side. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from thehead and are arranged in groups including a first peripheral grouping oftooth cleaning elements positioned adjacent the first peripheral side ofthe head and comprising first and second types of tooth cleaningelements, a distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements positionedadjacent the distal end of the head and including a third type of toothcleaning element, and a proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elementspositioned adjacent the proximal end of the head and including the thirdtype of tooth cleaning element.

In one aspect, the invention may be an oral care implement comprising: ahead extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distalend, the head comprising a first peripheral side and a second peripheralside opposite the first peripheral side; a plurality of tooth cleaningelements extending from a front surface of the head, the plurality oftooth cleaning elements arranged in a tooth cleaning element field, thetooth cleaning element field comprising: a first peripheral grouping oftooth cleaning elements adjacent the first peripheral side of the head,the first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements comprising afirst type of tooth cleaning element and a second type of tooth cleaningelement; a distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements adjacent thedistal end of the head, the distal grouping of tooth cleaning elementscomprising a third type of tooth cleaning element; a proximal groupingof tooth cleaning elements adjacent the proximal end of the head, theproximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements comprising the third typeof tooth cleaning element; and a central grouping of tooth cleaningelements located between the distal and proximal groupings of toothcleaning elements, the central grouping of tooth cleaning elementscomprising a fourth type of tooth cleaning element.

In another aspect, the invention may be an oral care implementcomprising: a head extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximalend to a distal end, the head comprising a first peripheral side and asecond peripheral side opposite the first peripheral side; a pluralityof tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head,the plurality of tooth cleaning elements arranged in a tooth cleaningelement field, the tooth cleaning element field comprising: a firstperipheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements adjacent the firstperipheral side of the head, the first peripheral grouping of toothcleaning elements comprising tufts of tapered bristles and one or moreelastomeric elements; a distal grouping of tooth cleaning elementsadjacent the distal end of the head, the distal grouping of toothcleaning elements comprising tufts of spiral bristles; and a proximalgrouping of tooth cleaning elements adjacent the proximal end of thehead, the proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements comprising tuftsof spiral bristles.

In yet another aspect, the invention may be an oral care implementcomprising: a head extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximalend to a distal end, the head comprising a first peripheral side and asecond peripheral side opposite the first peripheral side; a pluralityof tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head,the plurality of tooth cleaning elements arranged in a tooth cleaningelement field, the tooth cleaning element field comprising: a firstperipheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements adjacent the firstperipheral side of the head, the first peripheral grouping of toothcleaning elements comprising tufts of tapered bristles and one or moreelastomeric elements; a distal grouping of tooth cleaning elementsadjacent the distal end of the head, the distal grouping of toothcleaning elements comprising tufts of single component end-roundedbristles; and a proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements adjacentthe proximal end of the head, the proximal grouping of tooth cleaningelements comprising tufts of single component end-rounded bristles.

In a further embodiment, the invention can be a refill head for anelectric toothbrush comprising: a head extending along a longitudinalaxis from a proximal end to a distal end, the head comprising a firstperipheral side and a second peripheral side opposite the firstperipheral side; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from afront surface of the head, the plurality of tooth cleaning elementsarranged in a tooth cleaning element field, the tooth cleaning elementfield comprising: a first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elementsadjacent the first peripheral side of the head, the first peripheralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements comprising a first type of toothcleaning element; a distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements adjacentthe distal end of the head, the distal grouping of tooth cleaningelements comprising a second type of tooth cleaning element; a centralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements located in a central region of thefront surface of the head, the central grouping of tooth cleaningelements comprising a third type of tooth cleaning element; and a softtissue cleanser located on a rear surface of the head, the soft tissuecleanser comprising a plurality of protuberances extending from the rearsurface.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an oral care implement in accordance witha first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of area II of FIG. 1 illustrating a head ofthe oral care implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the head of the oral care implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a bristle tuft having tapered bristles in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a single tapered bristle of the bristle tuft of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a bristle tuft having spiral bristles in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a single spiral bristle of the bristle tuft of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a bristle tuft having end-rounded bristles in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a single end-rounded bristle of the bristle tuft of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the head of the oral care implement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an oral care implement inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a close-up view of area X of FIG. 9 illustrating a head ofthe oral care implement of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the head of the oral care implement of FIG.9;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the head of the oral care implement of FIG. 9;and

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top,” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated byreference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodimentsillustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that mayexist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of theinvention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each andevery value that is within the range. Any value within the range can beselected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references citedherein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In theevent of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and thatof a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

Referring to FIG. 1, an oral care implement 100 is illustrated inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In theexemplified embodiment, the oral care implement 100 is illustrated as anelectric or powered toothbrush. However, the invention is not to be solimited and the disclosure set forth herein is also applicable to amanual toothbrush. In still other embodiments, the oral care implement100 can take on other forms such as being a tongue scraper, a gum andsoft tissue cleanser, a water pick, an interdental device, a toothpolisher, a specially designed ansate implement having tooth engagingelements or any other type of implement that is commonly used for oralcare. Thus, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts discussedherein can be applied to any type of oral care implement unless aspecific type of oral care implement is specified in the claims.

The oral care implement 100 generally comprises a handle 110 and a head120. The head 120 may be formed as a part of a refill head that isdetachably coupled to a stem of the handle 110. Thus, the head 120 maybe detachably coupled to the handle 110 in some embodiments as isstandard in the electric toothbrush industry whereby the handles arereused with different refill heads so that the consumer is not requiredto replace the entire toothbrush including the electronics when thetooth cleaning elements become frayed or damaged and requirereplacement. In other embodiments, the handle 110 and the head 120 maybe integrally formed as a single unitary structure using a molding,milling, machining or other suitable process. In still otherembodiments, the handle 110 and the head 120 may be formed as separatecomponents which are operably connected at a later stage of themanufacturing process by any suitable technique known in the art,including without limitation thermal or ultrasonic welding, a tight-fitassembly, a coupling sleeve, threaded engagement, adhesion, orfasteners.

The head 120 and the handle 110 are typically formed of a rigid plasticmaterial, such as for example without limitation polymers and copolymersof ethylene, propylene, butadiene, vinyl compounds and polyesters suchas polyethylene terephthalate. Of course, the invention is not to be solimited in all embodiments and the handle 110 may include a resilientmaterial, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, as a grip cover that ismolded over portions of or the entirety of the handle 110 to enhance thegripability of the handle 110 during use. For example, portions of thehandle 110 that are typically gripped by a user's palm during use may beovermolded with a thermoplastic elastomer or other resilient material tofurther increase comfort to a user during handling of the oral careimplement 100.

Referring briefly to FIGS. 1, 7, and 8 concurrently, the head 120comprises a front surface 121 and an opposing rear surface 122. The head120 may include a soft tissue cleanser 123 positioned on the rearsurface 122 of the head 120. In the exemplified embodiment, the softtissue cleanser 123 comprises a pad portion 124 coupled to the rearsurface 122 of the head 120 and protrusions 125 extending from the padportion 124 in a direction away from the rear surface 122 of the head120. The soft tissue cleanser 123 may be formed of a resilient material,such as a thermoplastic elastomer, a rubber, silicon, or the like. Thesoft tissue cleanser 123 may be injection molded directly onto the rearsurface 122 of the head 120 during manufacturing in some embodiments. Incertain embodiments, one or more elastomeric tooth cleaning elements maybe formed integrally with the soft tissue cleanser 123 and extend fromthe front surface 121 of the head 120 for wiping and/or cleaning auser's teeth. Of course, in certain embodiments the oral care implement100 may not include any soft tissue cleanser.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 concurrently, the oral care implement 100will be further described. The head 120 of the oral care implement 100extends along a longitudinal axis A-A from a proximal end 126 that isadjacent the handle 110 to a distal end 127 that is remote from thehandle 110. As noted above, in certain embodiments the soft tissuecleanser 123 may be coupled to or positioned on the rear surface 122 ofthe head 120. Furthermore, a plurality of tooth cleaning elements 130extend from the front surface 121 of the head 120. The plurality oftooth cleaning elements 130 are arranged in a tooth cleaning elementfield and comprise several separate groupings of tooth cleaningelements, which will be described in more detail below.

Although certain details are provided below with regard to the differenttypes of tooth cleaning elements that are coupled to the head 120, incertain embodiments the exact structure, pattern, orientation, andmaterial of the tooth cleaning elements 130 is not to be limiting of thepresent invention unless so specified in the claims. Thus, unlessotherwise described herein, the term “tooth cleaning elements” may referto any structure that can be used to clean, polish or wipe the teethand/or soft oral tissue (e.g. tongue, cheek, gums, etc.) throughrelative surface contact. Common examples of types of tooth cleaningelements may include, without limitation, bristle tufts, filamentbristles, fiber bristles, nylon bristles, end-rounded bristles,core-sheath bristles, crimped bristles, spiral bristles, taperedbristles, rubber bristles, elastomeric protrusions, flexible polymerprotrusions, combinations thereof and/or structures containing suchmaterials or combinations. Suitable elastomeric materials forelastomeric protrusions may include any biocompatible resilient materialsuitable for uses in an oral hygiene apparatus. To provide optimumcomfort as well as cleaning benefits, the elastomeric material of thetooth or soft tissue engaging elements has a hardness property in therange of A8 to A25 Shore hardness. One suitable elastomeric material isstyrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS) manufactured byGLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from other manufacturers orother materials within and outside the noted hardness range could beused.

The tooth cleaning elements 130 can be connected to the head 120 in anymanner known in the art. For example, staples/anchors, in-mold tufting(IMT), or anchor free tufting (AFT) could be used to mount the toothcleaning elements 130 to the head 120. In certain embodiments, theinvention can be practiced with various combinations of stapled, IMT, orAFT bristles. In staple technologies, the tooth cleaning elements 130,such as bristles, are bent into a U-shape, clustered together into atuft of bristles, and then the bight portion of the tuft of bristles isinserted into a tuft hole in the head 120. A staple is then insertedinto the tuft hole to engage the bight portion of the tuft of bristlesand secure the tuft of bristles to the head 110. In AFT, bristles areinserted through openings in a plate that is a separate structure fromthe brush head. The free ends of the bristles on one side of the plateor membrane perform the cleaning function. The ends of the bristles onthe other side of the plate or membrane are melted together by heat tobe anchored in place. After the ends of the bristles are meltedtogether, the plate is secured to the brush head such as by ultrasonicwelding.

Where the tooth cleaning elements 130 are elastomeric elements, suchelastomeric elements may be formed integrally with the soft tissuecleanser 123 and extend through a passageway formed through the head asillustrated in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the elastomeric elements may beseparate from the soft tissue cleanser 123 and anchored to the head 120using other techniques known in the art.

As will be discussed in more detail below, the tooth cleaning elements130 may include different types of tooth cleaning elements positioned atdifferent locations on the head. Different types of tooth cleaningelements may impart different benefits to a person using the oral careimplement 100. Specifically, and for example only, tapered bristles mayoffer a gentle brushing and may be preferable for users with sensitiveteeth. Tapered bristles may also penetrate into the gaps between theteeth to better clean those interproximal areas. Spiral bristles may bethicker than traditional bristles and may be better for teeth whiteningor providing a more thorough clean to a user's teeth. End-roundedbristles are standard bristles that provide a traditional clean or maybe preferable for users with tooth and gum sensitivity. Elastomericelements may wipe and polish the teeth and may also be used for toothwhitening. These different types of tooth cleaning elements may bepositioned at different locations on the same head to provide all of thedifferent benefits to a user with a single oral care implement.Depending on the location and positioning of these different types oftooth cleaning elements, the different types of tooth cleaning elementsmay interact with one another to further enhance the tooth brushing andtooth cleaning experience. There is a desire in the art to find optimallocations for the different types of tooth cleaning elements on atoothbrush or oral care implement head to optimize the benefits of thedifferent types of tooth cleaning elements and increase the efficiencyand effectiveness of the tooth cleaning achieved using the toothbrush ororal care implement.

Referring still to FIGS. 1-3, the head 120 of the oral care implement100 comprises the front surface 121, the rear surface 122, a firstperipheral side 128, and a second peripheral side 129 opposite the firstperipheral side 128. Each of the first and second peripheral sides 128,129 extends between the front and rear surfaces 121, 122 of the head 120and between the proximal end 126 of the head 120 and the distal end 127of the head 120. Thus, the first and second peripheral sides 128, 129 ofthe head 120 are the opposing lateral surfaces of the head 120.

As noted above, the plurality of tooth cleaning elements 130 form atooth cleaning element field and the plurality of tooth cleaningelements 130 are arranged in groupings. Specifically, the tooth cleaningelement field comprises a first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaningelements 140 positioned adjacent the first peripheral side 128 of thehead 120, a second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 150positioned adjacent the second peripheral side 129 of the head 120, adistal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 160 positioned adjacent thedistal end 127 of the head 120, and a proximal grouping of toothcleaning elements 170 positioned adjacent the proximal end 126 of thehead 120. The tooth cleaning element field may, in some embodiments,also comprise a central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 180 locatedlaterally between the first and second peripheral groupings of toothcleaning elements 140, 150 and longitudinally between the distal andproximal groupings of tooth cleaning elements 160, 170. In FIG. 3, eachof the groupings of tooth cleaning elements 140, 150, 160, 170, 180 isdenoted with a dashed-line encircling that particular grouping toprovide clarity regarding which of the tooth cleaning elements areincluded within each grouping.

Each of the tooth cleaning elements 130 extends from the front surface121 of the head 120. The various groupings described herein aredistinguished based on the positioning of the tooth cleaning elementswithin that grouping on the front surface 121 of the head 120. Thus, thefirst peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 140 includes toothcleaning elements that extend from the front surface 121 of the head 120at a location that is adjacent to the first peripheral side 128 of thehead 120. Similarly, the second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaningelements 150 includes tooth cleaning elements that extend from the frontsurface 121 of the head 120 at a location that is adjacent to the secondperipheral side 129 of the head 120. The distal grouping of toothcleaning elements 160 includes tooth cleaning elements that extend fromthe front surface 121 of the head 120 at a location that is adjacent ornear the distal end 127 of the head 120. The proximal grouping of toothcleaning elements 170 includes tooth cleaning elements that extend fromthe front surface 121 of the head 120 at a location that is adjacent ornear the proximal end 126 of the head 120. Finally, the central groupingof tooth cleaning elements 180 includes tooth cleaning elements thatextend from the front surface 121 of the head 120 at a central locationon the head 120.

The tooth cleaning elements of the first and second peripheral groupingsof tooth cleaning elements 140, 150 are located laterally of the othergroupings. Specifically, an axis C-C parallel to the longitudinal axisA-A and on a first side of the longitudinal axis A-A that does not passthrough any of the cleaning elements separates the first peripheralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 140 from the distal, proximal, andcentral groupings of tooth cleaning elements 160, 170, 180. An axis D-Dparallel to the longitudinal axis A-A on a second side of thelongitudinal axis A-A that does not pass through any of the cleaningelements separates the second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaningelements 150 from the distal, proximal, and central groupings of toothcleaning elements 160, 170, 180. A first axis E-E transverse to thelongitudinal axis A-A separates the distal grouping of tooth cleaningelements 160 from the central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 180and a second axis F-F transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A separatesthe proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 170 from the centralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 180. In certain embodiments, thedistinction between the proximal, distal, and central tooth cleaningelements 160, 170, 180 may be further recognizable based on the types ofcleaning elements within each group or the colors of the cleaningelements of each group. In one embodiment the cleaning elements of theproximal and distal groupings of tooth cleaning elements 160, 170 mayhave a first color and the cleaning elements of the central grouping oftooth cleaning elements 180 may have a second different color. It shouldbe noted that, as used herein, difference in color only does not amountto a difference in cleaning element “type.”

In certain embodiments, with reference to the oral care implement 100illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, 7, and 8, the first and second peripheralgroupings of tooth cleaning elements 140, 150 comprise a first type oftooth cleaning elements and a second type of tooth cleaning elements.Furthermore, the distal and proximal groupings of tooth cleaningelements 160, 170 comprise a third type of tooth cleaning elements. Thecentral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 180 comprises a fourth typeof tooth cleaning elements. The central grouping of tooth cleaningelements 180 may also comprise the second type of tooth cleaningelements. In certain embodiments, the first type of tooth cleaningelements may be a tapered bristle, the second type of tooth cleaningelements may be an elastomeric element, such as a lamella or other toothcleaning feature formed of a thermoplastic elastomer, rubber, or otherresilient material, the third type of tooth cleaning element may be aspiral bristle, and the fourth type of tooth cleaning element may be asingle component end-rounded bristle. In some embodiments the first andsecond peripheral groupings of tooth cleaning elements 140, 150 mayconsist of the first and second types of tooth cleaning elements, whichmay be the tapered bristles and the elastomeric elements. In someembodiments the distal and proximal groupings of tooth cleaning elements160, 170 may consist of the third types of tooth cleaning elements,which may be spiral bristles. In some embodiments the central groupingof tooth cleaning elements 180 may consist of the second and fourthtypes of tooth cleaning elements, which may be the elastomeric elementsand the single component end-rounded bristles.

Thus, in certain embodiments each of the first, second, third, andfourth types of tooth cleaning elements are different types of toothcleaning elements. In certain embodiments, regardless of the specifictype of tooth cleaning element associated with each grouping of toothcleaning elements 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, the first, second, third, andfourth types of tooth cleaning elements may be selected from taperedbristles, elastomeric elements, spiral bristles, single componentend-rounded bristles, core-sheath bristles, and crimped bristles. Thus,in one embodiment the type of tooth cleaning element is differentiatedbased on the structure or shape or material make-up of the toothcleaning element. In other embodiments, the type of tooth cleaningelement may be differentiated based on an oral care additive that isassociated with, embedded within, or that forms a part of the toothcleaning element. Such oral care additives may include, withoutlimitation, lotus seed; lotus flower, bamboo salt; jasmine; corn mint;camellia; aloe; gingko; tea tree oil; xylitol; sea salt; vitamin C;ginger; cactus; baking soda; pine tree salt; green tea; white pearl;black pearl; charcoal powder; nephrite or jade and Ag/Au+. Thus, thefirst type of tooth cleaning element may be a tooth cleaning elementcomprising charcoal powder and the second type of tooth cleaning elementmay be a tooth cleaning element comprising black pearl, etc. Oral careadditives in addition to those specifically recited herein and that areknown in the art, such as anti-sensitivity agents, anti-bacterialagents, tooth whitening agents, or the like may also be used todifferentiate the tooth cleaning elements by type.

The first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 140 is agrouping of tooth cleaning elements that is positioned nearest to thefirst peripheral side 128 of the head 120. The first peripheral groupingof tooth cleaning elements 140 comprises the first type of toothcleaning element and the second type of tooth cleaning element. Morespecifically, the first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements140 comprises a first bristle tuft 141, a second bristle tuft 142, athird bristle tuft 143, a first elastomeric element 144, and a secondelastomeric element 145. In the exemplified embodiment, the first,second, and third bristle tufts 141, 142, 143 of the first peripheralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 140 comprise a first type of toothcleaning elements (i.e., tapered bristles). Furthermore, in theexemplified embodiment the second type of tooth cleaning element of thefirst peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 140 is the firstand second elastomeric elements 144, 145.

Although described herein as the first peripheral grouping of toothcleaning elements 140 having three bristle tufts 141-143, the inventionis not to be limited in all embodiments. The first peripheral groupingof tooth cleaning elements 140 may include more or less than threebristle tufts in other embodiments. Similarly, although described hereinas the first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 140 havingtwo elastomeric elements 144, 145, the invention is not to be so limitedin all embodiments and the first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaningelements 140 may include more or less than two elastomeric elements.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first type of tooth cleaning elementsis tapered bristles. FIG. 4A illustrates the first, second, and thirdbristle tufts 141, 142, 143. In this embodiment, each of the first,second, and third bristle tufts 141, 142, 143 comprises a plurality oftapered bristles 147. FIG. 4B illustrates a single one of the taperedbristles 147. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first, second,and third bristle tufts 141, 142, 143 consists of tapered bristles 147such that only tapered bristles 147 are included in the first, second,and third bristle tufts 141, 142, 143. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, thetapered bristles 147 taper from the end of the bristle that is coupledto the head 120 towards a tip 148 of the tapered bristle 147 along atleast a portion of its length. Thus, the cross-sectional area of thetapered bristle 147 decreases either along its entire length in adirection of the tip 148 of the tapered bristle 147 or along a portionof its length in the direction of the tip 148 of the tapered bristle. Incertain embodiments, a distal end portion of the tapered bristle 147that includes the tip 148 may have a different color than the remainderof the tapered bristle 147 to highlight the tapered tip 148, althoughthis is not required in all embodiments.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the exemplified embodiment, thefirst, second, and third bristle tufts 141, 142, 143 of the firstperipheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 140 comprises the firsttype of tooth cleaning elements, which is a tapered bristle such as thetapered bristle 147 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Furthermore, thefirst peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 140 comprises thesecond type of tooth cleaning elements which are the elastomericelements 144, 145. Thus, the first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaningelements 140 comprises (or in some embodiments consists of) the firstand second types of tooth cleaning elements, the first type of toothcleaning element being tapered bristles and the second type of toothcleaning element being elastomeric elements.

In the exemplified embodiment, within the first peripheral grouping oftooth cleaning elements 140, the first type of tooth cleaning elementare positioned between the second type of tooth cleaning elements. Morespecifically, the first, second, and third bristle tufts 141, 142, 143comprising the tapered bristles 147 are positioned longitudinallybetween the first and second elastomeric elements 144, 145. Thus, thefirst and second elastomeric elements 144, 145 anchor the top and bottomof the first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 140 and thefirst, second, and third bristle tufts 141, 142, 143 are positionedtherebetween. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the first typeof tooth cleaning elements (i.e., the tapered bristles 147) extend fromthe front surface 121 of the head 120 a distance that is greater thanthe distance that the second type of tooth cleaning elements (i.e., theelastomeric elements 144, 145) extend from the front surface 121 of thehead 120, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8.

The second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 150 is agrouping of tooth cleaning elements that is positioned nearest to thesecond peripheral side 129 of the head 120. The second peripheralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 150 comprises the first type oftooth cleaning element and the second type of tooth cleaning element.More specifically, the second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaningelements 150 comprises a first bristle tuft 151, a second bristle tuft152, a third bristle tuft 153, a first elastomeric element 154, and asecond elastomeric element 155. In the exemplified embodiment, thefirst, second, and third bristle tufts 151, 152, 153 of the secondperipheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 150 comprise the firsttype of tooth cleaning elements (i.e., tapered bristles. Furthermore, inthe exemplified embodiment the second type of tooth cleaning element ofthe second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 150 is thefirst and second elastomeric elements 154, 155.

Although described herein as the second peripheral grouping of toothcleaning elements 150 having three bristle tufts 151-153, the inventionis not to be limited in all embodiments. The second peripheral groupingof tooth cleaning elements 150 may include more or less than threebristle tufts in other embodiments. Similarly, although described hereinas the second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 150 havingtwo elastomeric elements 154, 155, the invention is not to be so limitedin all embodiments and the second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaningelements 150 may include more or less than two elastomeric elements.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first type of tooth cleaning elementsare tapered bristles such as those illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B anddescribed above. In the exemplified embodiment, the first, second, andthird bristle tufts 151, 152, 153 of the second peripheral grouping oftooth cleaning elements 150 comprises the first type of tooth cleaningelements, which is a tapered bristle such as the tapered bristle 147illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Furthermore, the second peripheralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 150 comprises the second type oftooth cleaning elements which are the elastomeric elements 154, 155.Thus, the second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 150comprises (or in some embodiments consists of) the first and secondtypes of tooth cleaning elements, the first type of tooth cleaningelement being tapered bristles and the second type of tooth cleaningelement being elastomeric elements.

In the exemplified embodiment, within the second peripheral grouping oftooth cleaning elements 150, the first type of tooth cleaning element ispositioned between the second type of tooth cleaning element. Morespecifically, the first, second, and third bristle tufts 151, 152, 153comprising the tapered bristles 147 (or the first type of tooth cleaningelement) are positioned longitudinally between the first and secondelastomeric elements 154, 155. Thus, the first and second elastomericelements 154, 155 anchor the top and bottom of the second peripheralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 150 and the first, second, and thirdbristle tufts 151, 152, 153 are positioned therebetween. Furthermore,the first type of tooth cleaning elements (i.e., the first, second, andthird bristle tufts 151, 152, 153 comprising or consisting of thetapered bristles 147) extend from the front surface 121 of the head 120a distance that is greater than the distance that the second type oftooth cleaning elements (i.e., the elastomeric elements 154, 155) extendfrom the front surface 121 of the head 120, as best illustrated in FIGS.2, 7, and 8.

In the exemplified embodiment, the first peripheral grouping of toothcleaning elements 140 are transversely aligned with the secondperipheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 150 and are symmetricalabout the longitudinal axis A-A. Specifically, the first and secondelastomeric elements 144, 145 of the first peripheral grouping of toothcleaning elements 140 are transversely aligned with the respective firstand second elastomeric elements 154, 155 of the second peripheralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 150, and the first, second, andthird bristle tufts 141, 142, 143 of the first peripheral grouping oftooth cleaning elements 140 are transversely aligned with the respectivefirst, second, and third bristle tufts 151, 152, 153 of the secondperipheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 150. In one embodimentthe first and second peripheral groupings of tooth cleaning elements140, 150 are identical but located on the opposing sides of the frontsurface 121 of the head 120.

In the exemplified embodiment, the distal grouping of tooth cleaningelements 160 is the grouping of tooth cleaning elements that ispositioned nearest to the distal end 127 of the head 120. The distalgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 160 comprises the third type oftooth cleaning element. More specifically, the distal grouping of toothcleaning elements 160 comprises a first, second, third, and fourthbristle tuft 161, 162, 163, 164 that are positioned adjacent to thedistal end 127 of the head 120. In the exemplified embodiment, thefirst, second, third, and fourth bristle tufts 161, 162, 163, 164 arepositioned in a square or rectangular-like arrangement in two rows andtwo columns, although other arrangements are possible and within thescope of this application. Furthermore, although four bristle tufts161-164 are exemplified within the distal grouping of tooth cleaningelements 160, the invention is not to be limited by this in allembodiments and the distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 160 mayinclude more or less than four bristle tufts in other embodiments (suchas one bristle tuft, two bristle tufts, three bristle tufts, fivebristle tufts, six bristle tufts, or the like).

The distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 160 comprises a thirdtype of tooth cleaning elements. In some embodiments the distal groupingof tooth cleaning elements 160 may consist of the third type of toothcleaning elements. In certain embodiments the third type of toothcleaning elements comprises, or in some embodiments consists of, spiralbristles. Thus, the first, second, third, and fourth bristle tufts 161,162, 163, 164 are tufts of spiral bristles. FIG. 5A illustrates thefirst, second, third, and fourth bristle tufts 161, 162, 163, 164comprising spiral bristles 165. FIG. 5B illustrates one of the spiralbristles 165. The spiral bristle 165 may be formed from twomonofilaments or strand components 166, 167 that are wound orintertwined together. The two monofilaments 166, 167 may be the samecolor as illustrated in FIG. 5A or a different color as illustrated inFIG. 5B. The spiral bristle 165 may be end-rounded, tapered, or the likeas desired.

In certain embodiments, each of the first, second, third, and fourthbristle tufts 161, 162, 163, 164 of the distal grouping of toothcleaning elements 160 comprises spiral bristles 165. In otherembodiments each of the first, second, third, and fourth bristle tufts161, 162, 163, 164 of the distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 160consists of spiral bristles 165. Thus, the distal grouping of toothcleaning elements 160 may in some embodiments comprise and in otherembodiments consist of the third type of tooth cleaning elements, whichin this embodiment is spiral bristles 165.

In the exemplified embodiment (as best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8),the height that the distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 160extends from the front surface 121 of the head 120 increases in thedirection of the distal end 127 of the head 120. More specifically,there is a gradual and continuous increase in height from aproximal-most point 168 of the distal grouping of tooth cleaningelements 160 to the distal-most point 169 of the distal grouping oftooth cleaning elements 160. In that regard, each of the first, second,third, and fourth bristle tufts 161, 162, 163, 164 of the distalgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 160 terminates in a free end that isslanted or angled relative to the front surface 121 of the head 120 suchthat the taller part at the free end is nearer to the distal end of thehead 127.

As noted above, the proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 170 isthe grouping of tooth cleaning elements positioned nearest to theproximal end 126 of the head 120 adjacent to the handle 110. In theexemplified embodiment the proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements170 comprises a first and second bristle tuft 171, 172 that arepositioned adjacent to the proximal end 126 of the head 120. In theexemplified embodiment, the first and second bristle tufts 171, 172 arepositioned in transverse alignment on opposing sides of the longitudinalaxis A-A of the head 120, but the invention is not to be limited by thispositioning in all embodiments. Although two bristle tufts 171, 172 areexemplified within the proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 170,the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. Rather, theproximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 170 may include a singlebristle tuft or more than two bristle tufts in other embodiments.

In the exemplified embodiment, the proximal grouping of tooth cleaningelements 170 comprises (or in some embodiments consists of) the thirdtype of tooth cleaning elements, which as described above is the spiralbristles 165 in the exemplified embodiment. Thus, in the exemplifiedembodiment each of the first and second bristle tufts 171, 172 of theproximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 170 comprises, or in someembodiments consists of, the spiral bristles 165. Thus, each of thefirst and second bristle tufts 171, 172 is a bristle tuft containing thespiral bristles 165, as depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Furthermore, asillustrated in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, in the exemplified embodiment thefirst and second bristle tufts 171, 172, individually and collectively,extend a height from the front surface 121 of the head 120 thatgradually and continually decreases with longitudinal distance from theproximal end 126 of the head 120 towards the distal end 127 of the head120.

The central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 180 is located centrallyon the head 120 and is bounded by the proximal grouping of toothcleaning elements 170 to the bottom, the distal grouping of toothcleaning elements 160 to the top, the first peripheral grouping of toothcleaning elements 140 to the left, and the second peripheral grouping oftooth cleaning elements 150 to the right. In one embodiment, the centralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 180 comprises the second type oftooth cleaning element and a fourth type of tooth cleaning element. Asdiscussed above, the second type of tooth cleaning element may beelastomeric elements. The fourth type of tooth cleaning element may besingle component end-rounded bristles.

In that regard, the central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 180comprises a first bristle tuft 181, a second bristle tuft 182, a thirdbristle tuft 183, a fourth bristle tuft 184, a first elastomeric element185, and a second elastomeric element 186. In certain embodiments, eachof the first, second, third, and fourth bristle tufts 181-184 maycomprise the fourth type of tooth cleaning element, which may be asingle component end-rounded bristle. FIG. 6A illustrates the first,second, third, and fourth bristle tufts 181-184 of the central groupingof tooth cleaning elements 180 comprising single component end-roundedbristles 187 and FIG. 6B illustrates one of the single componentend-rounded bristles 187. The end-rounded bristle 187 is a monofilamentor single component having an rounded tip or distal end 188. The singlecomponent end-rounded bristle 187 may be white or colored orcombinations of the two within a single one of the bristles 187 or amongthe various bristles in each bristle tuft 181-184 or in the differentbristle tufts 181-184.

Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the exemplified embodiment, within thecentral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 180, the second type oftooth cleaning elements (i.e., the elastomeric elements 185, 186) arelocated longitudinally between the fourth types of tooth cleaningelements (i.e., the bristle tufts 181-184 comprising the singlecomponent end-rounded bristles 187). The elastomeric elements 185, 186are each arcuate shaped elements having concave surfaces that face oneanother and the centerpoint of the head 120. The elastomeric elements185, 186 are positioned adjacent one another so as to form a loop. Thefirst and second bristle tufts 181, 182 are positioned adjacent to aconvex surface of the first elastomeric element 185 and the third andfourth bristle tufts 183, 184 are positioned adjacent to a convexsurface of the second elastomeric element 186. In the exemplifiedembodiment, the first, second, and third tufts of bristles 141, 142,143, 151, 152, 153 of the first and second peripheral groupings of toothcleaning elements 140, 150 and the tufts of bristles 181, 182, 183, 184of the central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 180 collectively forma loop that surrounds the first and second elastomeric elements 185, 186of the central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 180.

Furthermore, there exists a transverse axis or plane G-G that isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A that intersects the secondelastomeric elements 145, 155 of the first and second peripheralgroupings of tooth cleaning elements 140, 150 and the first and secondbristle tufts 171, 172 of the proximal grouping of tooth cleaningelements 170. Similarly, there exists a transverse axis or plane H-Hthat is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A that intersects thefirst elastomeric elements 144, 154 of the first and second peripheralgroupings of tooth cleaning elements 140, 150 and the third and fourthbristle tufts 163, 164 of the distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements160.

The first and third bristle tufts 161, 163 of the distal grouping oftooth cleaning elements 160, the first and third bristle tufts 181, 183of the central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 180, and the firstbristle tuft 171 of the proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 170are aligned along an axis I-I that is parallel to the longitudinal axisA-A of the head 120. Similarly, the second and fourth bristle tufts 162,164 of the distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements, the second andfourth bristle tufts 182, 184 of the central grouping of tooth cleaningelements 180, and the second bristle tuft 172 of the proximal groupingof tooth cleaning elements 170 are aligned along an axis J-J that isparallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the head 120.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a comparison of the heights of the differenttooth cleaning elements will be discussed. As noted above, the first,second, and third bristle tufts 141-143, 151-153 of the first and secondperipheral groupings of tooth cleaning elements 140, 150 are taller(measured from the front surface 121 of the head 120 to the terminalends of the cleaning elements) than the elastomeric elements 144, 145,154, 155 in the first and second peripheral groupings of tooth cleaningelements 140, 150. The first, second, and third bristle tufts 141-143,151-153 of the first and second peripheral groupings of tooth cleaningelements 140, 150 may also be taller than the bristle tufts 181-184 andthe elastomeric elements 185, 186 of the central grouping of toothcleaning elements 180. In certain embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 8,the bristle tufts 171 of the proximal grouping of tooth cleaningelements 170 and the bristle tufts 161 of the distal grouping of toothcleaning elements 160 have a maximum height that is greater than amaximum height of the bristle tufts 181, 183 and the elastomericelements 185, 186 of the central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 180thereby creating a concave profile along the longitudinal axis A-A.

Referring to FIG. 9, an oral care implement 200 is illustrated inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The oralcare implement 200 is similar to the oral care implement 100 except asdescribed herein below. The description of the oral care implement 100above generally applies to the oral care implement 200 described belowexcept with regard to the differences specifically noted below. Asimilar numbering scheme will be used for the oral care implement 200 aswith the oral care implement 100 except that the 200-series of numberswill be used.

The oral care implement 200 generally comprises a handle 210 and a head220. The head 220 may be a refill head for an electric or poweredtoothbrush and as such the head 220 may be detachably coupled to thehandle 210. Alternatively, the head 220 may be integrally formed withthe handle 210 as a manual toothbrush or other oral care implement asdescribed above.

The head 220 comprises a front surface 221 and an opposing rear surface222. The head 220 extends from a proximal end 226 to a distal end 227along a longitudinal axis B-B. Furthermore, the head 220 comprises afirst peripheral side 228 and a second peripheral side 229, each of thefirst and second peripheral sides 228, 229 extending from the proximalend 226 to the distal end 227 and between the front and rear surfaces221, 222 of the head 220. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements 230extend from the front surface 221 of the head 220 and form a toothcleaning element field.

The tooth cleaning element field comprises a first peripheral groupingof tooth cleaning elements 240, a second peripheral grouping of toothcleaning elements 250, a distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 260,a proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 270, and a centralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 280. The general location andpositioning of these groupings of tooth cleaning elements is the same asthat which was described above with regard to FIGS. 1-8. However, thetypes of tooth cleaning elements within each grouping and thepositioning of the different tooth cleaning within each grouping isdifferent on the oral care implement 200 than on the oral care implement100 described above.

In certain embodiments, with reference to the oral care implement 200illustrated in FIGS. 9-13, the first and second peripheral groupings oftooth cleaning elements 240, 250 comprise a first type of tooth cleaningelements and a second type of tooth cleaning elements. Furthermore, thedistal and proximal groupings of tooth cleaning elements 260, 270comprise a third type of tooth cleaning elements. The central groupingof tooth cleaning elements 280 comprises a fourth type of tooth cleaningelements. The central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 280 may alsocomprise the second type of tooth cleaning elements. In certainembodiments, the first type of tooth cleaning elements may be a taperedbristle, the second type of tooth cleaning elements may be anelastomeric element, the third type of tooth cleaning element may be asingle component end-rounded bristle, and the fourth type of toothcleaning element may be also be a single component end-rounded bristle.In some embodiments the first and second peripheral groupings of toothcleaning elements 240, 250 may consist of the first and second types oftooth cleaning elements, which may be the tapered bristles and theelastomeric elements, respectively. In some embodiments the distal andproximal groupings of tooth cleaning elements 260, 270 may consist ofthe third type of tooth cleaning elements, which may be single componentend-rounded bristles. In some embodiments the central grouping of toothcleaning elements 280 may consist of the second and fourth types oftooth cleaning elements, which may be the elastomeric elements and thesingle component end-rounded bristles, respectively.

The first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 240 comprisesfirst, second, third, and fourth tufts of bristles 241, 242, 243, 244and an elastomeric element 245. Each of the tufts of bristles 241-244comprises the first type of bristles, which may be the tapered bristles147 of FIGS. 4A and 4B. In this embodiment, the first and second tuftsof bristles 241, 242 are positioned on one side of (above) theelastomeric element 245 and the third and fourth tufts of bristles 243,244 are positioned on the opposite side of (below) the elastomericelement 245. Thus, the elastomeric element 245 is positionedlongitudinally between the second and third tufts of bristles 242, 243.In certain embodiments, the first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning240 elements comprises the first and second types of tooth cleaningelements, the second type of tooth cleaning elements positioned betweenthe first types of tooth cleaning elements.

The second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 250 comprisesfirst, second, third, and fourth tufts of bristles 251, 252, 253, 254and an elastomeric element 255. Each of the tufts of bristles 251-254comprises the first type of bristles, which may be the tapered bristles147 of FIGS. 4A and 4B. In this embodiment, the first and second tuftsof bristles 251, 252 are positioned on one side of (above) theelastomeric element 255 and the third and fourth tufts of bristles 254,254 are positioned on the opposite side of (below) the elastomericelement 255. Thus, the elastomeric element 255 is positionedlongitudinally between the second and third tufts of bristles 252, 253.In certain embodiments, the second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning250 elements comprises the first and second types of tooth cleaningelements, the second type of tooth cleaning elements positioned betweenthe first types of tooth cleaning elements.

The distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 260 comprises the thirdtype of tooth cleaning elements. In this embodiment, the third type oftooth cleaning elements is single component end-rounded bristles, suchas the bristles 187 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The distal grouping oftooth cleaning elements 260 comprises first, second, third, and fourthtufts of bristles 261, 262, 263, 264, each comprising the third type ofbristles. In some embodiments the distal grouping of tooth cleaningelements 260 may consist of the third type of tooth cleaning elementsuch that each of the first, second, third, and fourth tufts of bristles261, 262, 263, 264 consists of the third type of tooth cleaning elementor single component end-rounded bristles.

The proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 270 comprises the thirdtype of tooth cleaning elements. In this embodiment, the third type oftooth cleaning elements is single component end-rounded bristles, suchas the bristles 187 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The distal grouping oftooth cleaning elements 260 comprises first and second tufts of bristles271, 272, each comprising the third type of bristles. In someembodiments the proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements 270 mayconsist of the third type of tooth cleaning element such that each ofthe first and second tufts of bristles 271, 272 consists of the thirdtype of tooth cleaning element or single component end-rounded bristles.

The central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 280 comprises the secondtype of tooth cleaning element and the third type of tooth cleaningelement. With reference to the exemplified embodiment, the centralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 280 comprises first, second, third,and fourth tufts of bristles 281, 282, 283, 284, each comprising thethird type of tooth cleaning element (i.e., single component end-roundedbristles). The central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 280 alsocomprises a first elastomeric element 285 and a second elastomericelement 286. In this embodiment, the first, second, third, and fourthtufts of bristles 281, 282, 283, 284 are positioned longitudinallybetween the first and second elastomeric elements 285, 286.

Furthermore, the first and second elastomeric elements 285, 286 arearcuate shaped elements having concave surfaces and convex surfaces. Theconcave surfaces of the first and second elastomeric elements 285, 286face one another. The first and second elastomeric elements 285, 286 ofthe central grouping of tooth cleaning elements 280 and the elastomericelements 245, 255 of the first and second peripheral groupings of toothcleaning elements 240, 250 collectively form a loop that surrounds thefirst, second, third, and fourth tufts of bristles 281-284 of thecentral grouping of tooth cleaning elements 280.

In this embodiment, the tufts of bristles 281-284 of the centralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements 280 are taller than the first andsecond elastomeric elements 285, 286 of the central grouping of toothcleaning elements 280. Furthermore, the tufts of bristles 241-244,251-254 of the first and second peripheral groupings of tooth cleaningelements 240, 250 are taller than the elastomeric elements 245, 255 ofthe first and second peripheral groupings of tooth cleaning elements240, 250. The tufts of bristles 241-244, 251-254 of the first and secondperipheral groupings of tooth cleaning elements 240, 250 are also tallerthan the tufts of bristles 281-284 of the central grouping of toothcleaning elements 280. The relative heights of the rest of the toothcleaning elements 230 may be the same as that which was described abovewith regard to the oral care implement 100 and the tooth cleaningelements 130.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional modifications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the inventionshould be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oral care implement comprising: a headextending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end,the head comprising a first peripheral side and a second peripheral sideopposite the first peripheral side; a plurality of tooth cleaningelements extending from a front surface of the head, the plurality oftooth cleaning elements arranged in a tooth cleaning element field, thetooth cleaning element field comprising: a first peripheral grouping oftooth cleaning elements adjacent the first peripheral side of the head,the first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements comprising afirst type of tooth cleaning element and a second type of tooth cleaningelement; a distal grouping of tooth cleaning elements adjacent thedistal end of the head, the distal grouping of tooth cleaning elementscomprising a third type of tooth cleaning element; and a proximalgrouping of tooth cleaning elements adjacent the proximal end of thehead, the proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elements comprising thethird type of tooth cleaning element; and wherein the first, second, andthird types of tooth cleaning elements are different from one another,and wherein each of the first, second, and third types of tooth cleaningelements is one of tapered bristles, elastomeric elements, spiralbristles, and single component end-rounded bristles.
 2. The oral careimplement according to claim 1 wherein the tooth cleaning element fieldfurther comprises a second peripheral grouping of tooth cleaningelements adjacent the second peripheral side of the head, the secondperipheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements comprising the first andsecond types of tooth cleaning elements.
 3. The oral care implementaccording to claim 2 wherein each of the first and second peripheralgroupings of tooth cleaning elements consists of the first and secondtypes of tooth cleaning elements.
 4. The oral care implement accordingto claim 1 wherein the first type of tooth cleaning element is a taperedbristle.
 5. The oral care implement according to claim 1 wherein thesecond type of tooth cleaning element is an elastomeric element.
 6. Theoral care implement according to claim 1 wherein the third type of toothcleaning element is a spiral bristle.
 7. The oral care implementaccording to claim 1 wherein the fourth type of tooth cleaning elementis a single component end-rounded bristle.
 8. The oral care implementaccording to claim 1 wherein each of the proximal and distal groupingsof tooth cleaning elements consists of the third type of tooth cleaningelements.
 9. The oral care implement according to claim 1 furthercomprising a central grouping of tooth cleaning elements located betweenthe distal and proximal groupings of tooth cleaning elements, thecentral grouping of tooth cleaning elements comprising a fourth type oftooth cleaning element that is different from each of the first, second,and third types of tooth cleaning elements, the fourth type of toothcleaning element being one of tapered bristles, elastomeric elements,spiral bristles, and single component end-rounded bristles.
 10. The oralcare implement according to claim 9 wherein each of the first, second,and third types of tooth cleaning elements is one of tapered bristles,elastomeric elements, and spiral bristles, and wherein the fourth typeof tooth cleaning elements is single component end-rounded bristles. 11.The oral care implement according to claim 9 wherein the centralgrouping of tooth cleaning elements further comprises the second type oftooth cleaning elements.
 12. The oral care implement according to claim11 wherein the central grouping of tooth cleaning elements consists ofthe second and fourth types of tooth cleaning elements.
 13. The oralcare implement according to claim 11 wherein in the central grouping oftooth cleaning elements, the second type of cleaning elements arelocated between the fourth type of cleaning elements.
 14. An oral careimplement comprising: a head extending along a longitudinal axis from aproximal end to a distal end, the head comprising a first peripheralside and a second peripheral side opposite the first peripheral side; aplurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface ofthe head, the plurality of tooth cleaning elements arranged in a toothcleaning element field, the tooth cleaning element field comprising: afirst peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements adjacent the firstperipheral side of the head, the first peripheral grouping of toothcleaning elements comprising a first type of tooth cleaning element anda second type of tooth cleaning element; a distal grouping of toothcleaning elements adjacent the distal end of the head, the distalgrouping of tooth cleaning elements comprising a third type of toothcleaning element; and a proximal grouping of tooth cleaning elementsadjacent the proximal end of the head, the proximal grouping of toothcleaning elements comprising the third type of tooth cleaning element;wherein the first, second and third types of tooth cleaning elements aredifferent from one another, and wherein each of the first, second, andthird types of tooth cleaning elements is selected from one of taperedbristles, elastomeric elements, and single component end-roundedbristles.
 15. The oral care implement according to claim 14 furthercomprising a central grouping of tooth cleaning elements located betweenthe distal and proximal groupings of tooth cleaning elements, thecentral grouping of tooth cleaning elements comprising at least two ofthe first, second, and third types of tooth cleaning elements.
 16. Arefill head for an electric toothbrush comprising: a head extendingalong a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the headcomprising a first peripheral side and a second peripheral side oppositethe first peripheral side; a plurality of tooth cleaning elementsextending from a front surface of the head, the plurality of toothcleaning elements arranged in a tooth cleaning element field, the toothcleaning element field comprising: a first peripheral grouping of toothcleaning elements adjacent the first peripheral side of the head, thefirst peripheral grouping of tooth cleaning elements comprising a firsttype of tooth cleaning element; a distal grouping of tooth cleaningelements adjacent the distal end of the head, the distal grouping oftooth cleaning elements comprising a second type of tooth cleaningelement; and a central grouping of tooth cleaning elements located in acentral region of the front surface of the head, the central grouping oftooth cleaning elements comprising a third type of tooth cleaningelement; wherein the first, second, and third types of tooth cleaningelements are different from one another, and wherein each of the first,second, and third types of tooth cleaning elements is one of taperedbristles, elastomeric elements, spiral bristles, and single componentend-rounded bristles; and a soft tissue cleanser located on a rearsurface of the head, the soft tissue cleanser comprising a plurality ofprotuberances extending from the rear surface.
 17. The refill head foran electric toothbrush according to claim 16 wherein the first type oftooth cleaning element is a tapered bristle, the second type of toothcleaning element is a spiral bristle, and the third type of toothcleaning element is an elastomeric component.
 18. The refill head for anelectric toothbrush according to claim 17 wherein the soft tissuecleanser comprises a pad portion, the plurality of protuberancesprotruding from the pad portion; and wherein the soft tissue cleanser isan integrally formed monolithic mass of elastomeric material.
 19. Therefill head for an electric toothbrush according to claim 16 wherein thefirst type of tooth cleaning element is a tapered bristle, the secondtype of tooth cleaning element is a single component end-roundedbristles, and the third type of tooth cleaning element is an elastomericelement.
 20. The refill head for an electric toothbrush according toclaim 19 wherein the first peripheral grouping of tooth cleaningelements consists of the first and third types of tooth cleaningelements, and wherein the central grouping of tooth cleaning elementsconsists of the second and third types of tooth cleaning elements.